What Gear Should an Automatic Car Be in When Waiting at a Red Light?
2 Answers
When waiting at a red light, an automatic car should be shifted into N (Neutral) gear. The correct usage methods for an automatic transmission are: 1. The vehicle can only be started in P (Park) or N (Neutral) gear. To shift out of P gear, the brake must be pressed. Turn on the power, press the brake, shift to N gear, and after ignition, shift to D (Drive) gear to move forward directly; 2. When switching between N, D, and 3 gears, there is no need to press the shift button. However, shifting from 3 gear to lower restricted gears requires pressing the shift button, while shifting from lower to higher gears does not; 3. Do not shift into N gear while driving to coast; 4. Never push into P gear while driving; 5. After driving, the engine must be turned off and shifted into P gear before the key can be removed.
I've thought about this many times. When driving an automatic transmission car and waiting at a red light, the most worry-free approach is to stay in D gear and keep your foot on the brake. Many cars nowadays come with an auto-hold function (AUTO HOLD). When the green 'P' light illuminates on the dashboard, you can release the brake pedal—super convenient. For exceptionally long red lights, say over a minute, shifting to N gear and engaging the handbrake gives the transmission a breather, especially in summer when running the AC reduces engine load. Some veteran drivers prefer shifting to P gear, but if rear-ended, the transmission could be totaled—not worth the risk. Remember, never zone out playing with your phone while keeping your foot on the brake in D gear; releasing it accidentally could lead to rear-ending the car in front.
